Please do not worry about “spoiling” your baby. You can indulge an older child, and he may become an unhappy and unpleasant little creature, but you can’t spoil a tiny child with love and cuddling. It is perfectly normal and OK for a baby to cry. It’s not OK for you to ignore his cry in the ridiculous attempt to “not spoil” him!

Your baby will cry sometimes when you cannot get to him for a few minutes but he should have the security of knowing that his cry will be answered. Can you imagine the hopelessness of a baby whose only means of calling for help is ignored?

When a baby cries, he has a need. Most likely, when you fulfill the need your baby will stop crying. Respect his need for help. He has no other way to communicate. You begin that very first day of your child’s life by respecting him as an individual with his own very specific needs.

Now I find that, again, my motherly instincts are supported by scientific research. I love when that happens! Check it out in this link to an interview with Penelope Leach, author of The Essential First Year- What Babies Need Parents to Know: Science Says Excessive Crying Could Be Harmful to Babies.